Now in Beta-testing on invite only
SPARKHub helps research organisations and teams reduce their environmental impact through practical guidance, certification, and community-led good practice. Crucially, it can support all areas and activities related to research (see initial list below). It will be free and open-access to use. Developed by UKRI in collaboration with research communities it is designed to evolve alongside research needs. The project will be supported by international research funding organisations, and the consultation of our governance is under development. Some of the funders engaged include:
The platform is now in a pilot, which will run over the summer. We will announce the full governing board, host, and release all features in October, 2026.
You can find on the website:
Benefits will include recognition for those who participate through certification, organisational resources, cost savings for measures, recognition for contribution of content and case studies, easy good-practice sharing, and (most importantly) more sustainable research.
To learn how to get involved, including contributing content or piloting, find out more by contacting directly at UKRIsustainability@ukri.org
Why SPARKHub?
SPARKHub provides transparent, open-access, and comprehensive standards for sustainable research practices. It recognises that many researchers are multi-disciplinary, and so they need a single, easy, source of good practice.
It aligns with the Heidelberg Agreement, as well as provides a framework to achieve much of the UK Concordat for Environmentally Sustainable Research & Innovation Practice. Its governance is led by research funders to allow a unified approach to more sustainable research.
Who has initiated SPARKHub?
UKRI has developed SPARKHub with input from research funding organisations, health professionals, and the research community. UKRI will hand over management of the platform to an international body in 2026, and join a governance board made up of invested funders.
Who can use SPARKHub?
While all content is open-access, the platform is targeted at anyone working in publicly supported research areas, and supports researchers, technical staff, sustainability managers, research management, funders, and operational staff.
What does SPARKHub provide?
SPARKHub provides concrete actions and guidance and allows research and some clinical groups to track their progress and achieve recognition. Scroll up to see some of the activities which will be covered. If you wish to contribute to one you don’t see, get in touch.
How does SPARKHub align with organisational certifications?
Application of SPARKHub will support organisational certifications (for e.g. EMAS, or some ISO standards), in that it provides actionable steps for groups and organisations to take.
How will content be managed?
SPARKHub provides a transparent mechanism for quality assurance on content development. As such, a board of experts will be selected to curate content. This board will be elected in late 2026.
Should you wish to contribute any content you have available, you may either submit a case study on this page or get in contact. All contributors will be recognised as authors.
How has the platform and content been developed?
To develop the mechanism of certification and platform, UKRI organised a series of workshops and consultations in 2025. If you or your organisation wish to input, please get in contact. The content has been sourced from a variety of experts around the sector, and authorship / sourcing is provided for transparency and recognition of those who have commendably supported this initiative.
